Bridge authority replaces 'master'

HIGHLAND — For the first time in 24 years, the New York State Bridge Authority has a new chief engineer.

Judy Rife

HIGHLAND — For the first time in 24 years, the New York State Bridge Authority has a new chief engineer.

The authority, which owns the five Hudson River bridges between Bear Mountain and Catskill, has hired Jeffrey Wright to succeed the retiring William Moreau.

"Jeff has worked as a contractor on our bridges, and we're pleased to have someone with his knowledge and experience join our staff," said Joseph Ruggiero, the authority's executive director, in announcing the change.

Wright, a native of Wisconsin who grew up in the Hudson Valley, comes to the authority after 18 years at HAKS in Manhattan, where he was vice president for bridge inspections. He will be paid $139,000 a year.

Wright also spent six years at Clark Patterson Lee in Rochester and five years at Modjeski & Masters in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He received his civil engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Modjeski & Masters has been the authority's general consulting engineers for decades. Moreau also worked for them at one point in his career. The firm designed the Mid-Hudson Bridge and both spans of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and advises the authority on repair and rehabilitation projects.

Ruggiero said Moreau will continue to work on a per diem basis to effect a smooth transition and monitor the redecking of the south span of the Newburgh bridge, the largest capital improvement in the authority's history at $93.1 million.

"Bill's known internationally as 'the bridge master' because of his tremendous ability and talent, and his work for us all these years has been a labor of love," said Ruggiero.